Quincy Villanueva, Alyssa Exala, and Crismar Menchavez share how their December is going, so far, and what’s new about them one year after they joined Pinoy Big Brother Connect.
The year 2022 has been a mix of sweet and challenging for Quincy as she goes through medication for her thyroid. During this interview for Kapamilya Chat, she mentioned things have been getting better after she finished a type of radiation therapy.
Now, she’s ready to celebrate Christmas Day in their new family home. Although it’s been a year since they transferred after putting the old one up for lease, Quincy said it’s only this year the new house started to look more put together. Alongside her parents and siblings, she has been very hands-on with the house’s overall look.
Meanwhile, Alyssa didn’t anticipate her extended stay in the Philippines and therefore she’d be celebrating Christmas distanced from her family based in Australia. The holiday blues are starting to have an effect on her. Nevertheless, she’s coping. She plans to get together with her cousins and catch up on yuletide shopping.
On a side note, Alyssa reacts to comments about her resemblance with Ivana Alawi, saying she first got that compliment from housemate Jie-Ann Armero while they were still inside Bahay Ni Kuya. Of course, having just arrived from Australia, she had no idea who Ivana is until she was evicted. “When I got out, I saw how big she is, I saw how stunning is and I’m like, ‘Oh my God! People think I look like this woman!’”
Although she doesn’t really see the resemblance, Alyssa thinks it’s flattering to be compared to Ivana. “Feeling ko ‘pag mukha mo, hindi mo talaga makikita. Pero thank you kasi she looks like a goddess, so I appreciate that you, guys, think that I look like her, “gushed Alyssa.
As for Crismar, this season is indeed a merry one as he received an early Christmas gift, a role as an EMT officer in Mars Ravelo’s Darna. The newcomer admits to feeling shy and awkward on set but, thankfully, the other cast members, especially Jane de Leon herself are very welcoming. In fact, it was Jane who approached him first on set, “She asked me, like, ‘Oh, hindi pa ‘ata tayo nagkakakilala. What’s your name?’ I was so shocked. Grabe! Her heart is so genuine and pure.”
Crismar is thankful to his castmates for making him feel at home in the bubble. He said the more senior artists won’t let the rookies like him feel left out, “Sobrang overwhelming to be part of that project tapos ‘yung mga cast pa, they’re really good people. Doon ko na-experience like sina Kuya Zeppi [Borromeo], they would always call us out kunwari for breakfast, lagi kaming hinahanap kasi sabay-sabay kami…”
The rising artists were asked about their stand on celebrities’ ‘responsibility’ towards fans approaching them in public places. And they all shared the same opinion that as celebrities, it is just right, not to mention it also feels good, to show a little kindness to their supporters.
Crismar said, “I really try my best on any situation to really give back.” By giving back, he means even just a simple acknowledgment like a smile or ‘hi.’
Quincy echoed Crismar’s answer, adding that they owe it to their supporters, “They’re helping us achieve our dreams. So, what is it na ‘pag nagkita mo sila to acknowledge them and say hi.” Personally, she gets thrilled when fans come up to her. She wants to know these people beyond their usernames on social media. “Ako talaga ‘yung na-e-excite! Parang feeling close ako, nahahawakan ko sila, I get so excited.”
Alyssa seconded, “When they’re happy to see you or they want your picture or to say hi, it kind of makes you feel the same way. That’s been one hundred percent of my experience with people who’ve recognized me outside in public.”
Besides, she thinks it is common courtesy to acknowledge someone who’s trying to get her attention. “I can’t imagine myself ever to not say ‘hi’ to anyone even if it’s not a supporter… I feel like I’d feel so uncomfortable if I deliberately ignore someone. If someone’s calling my attention but I’m going to ignore them, I feel like that goes against our human nature for social interaction.”
They pressed, however, that celebrities are humans, too. Sometimes they fail to notice the fans or they also go through personal problems that limit their energy for social interactions. There was an instance when Alyssa had her earphones on and failed to hear the fans while she was in a grocery store. In such cases, fans must also learn to understand that celebrities might have their reasons, too.
Quincy, Alyssa, and Crismar have sure learned a lot from Big Brother, especially in being more gracious to other people. Apart from that, they said Kuya’s lessons about authenticity and powering through challenges stay with them to this day.